Another Boeing Whistleblower Dies

Family members said Joshua Dean a former quality auditor at Spirit

Here a Spirit AeroSystems logo is seen on a 737 fuselage sent to Boeings factory in Renton Wash in January

A second whistleblower to raise concerns about the safety of Boeing aircraft has died. Joshua Dean, 45, was a former quality auditor for Boeing contractor Spirit AeroSystems. His death comes just weeks after the suicide of another Boeing whistleblower, 39-year-old Jon Oberg.

Dean's family said he died following a brief illness. They did not disclose the nature of his illness.

Dean had worked for Spirit AeroSystems for 10 years. He was responsible for inspecting and approving parts for Boeing's 737 and 787 aircraft.

In 2019, Dean raised concerns about the quality of parts being produced by Spirit AeroSystems. He alleged that the company was cutting corners and not following Boeing's safety standards.

Dean's concerns were investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA found that Spirit AeroSystems was not following Boeing's safety standards in some cases.

As a result of the FAA's investigation, Spirit AeroSystems was fined $24 million.

Dean's death is a reminder of the risks that whistleblowers face. Whistleblowers who speak out about safety concerns often face retaliation from their employers.

Dean's family said they are proud of him for speaking out about his concerns. They said he was a good man who wanted to make sure that Boeing's aircraft were safe.